New Zealand beat West Indies to make Women’s T20 World Cup final

New Zealand defeated the West Indies in a thrilling semi-final on Friday in Sharjah, booking their place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final against South Africa.

The Kiwis were slight favourites at cricket bookmakers to beat the West Indies, who had previously knocked world No.2 England out of the tournament, and got off to a strong start after opting to bat first.

Openers Suzie Bates (26) and Georgia Plimmer (33) put on 48 for the first wicket, in what would be the highest partnership of the match.

When Bates was bowled by Karishma Ramharac, wickets began to steadily fall.

Deandra Dottin was the primary culprit, claiming four White Fern scalps from her four overs as the West Indies restricted New Zealand to 128/9—a par score, but certainly not out of reach.

In response, the West Indies lost two wickets in the powerplay, slipping to 20/2 in the fourth over.

After being at 63/5 in the 14th over, Dottin led a strong rebuild that threatened to take her side over the finish line as the all rounder crushed three sixes during a rapid-fire 33 from 22.

When Fran Jonas nabbed Dottin, however, the West Indian innings came unstuck, with wickets in the 17th, 18th and 20th overs as they came up nine runs short.

New Zealand’s Eden Carson, who was awarded player of the match for her three-wicket haul, reflected on what it was like defending a small total.

“When Deandra Dottin was pummelling us around, the girls believed (that they could get over the line),” she said.

“We really had to defend another low total.

“Tried to get early wickets against them, and to get early wickets against them really helped us.

“We saw how they bowled, bowled a bit more back-of-a-length.”

“A bit emotional but really proud of the girls.”

Captain Sophie Devine shared what it feels like to have been written off pre-tournament yet make it all the way to the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

“The thing that makes me proud is the character we have had for the last 12-18 months,” she said.

“Results have not gone our way, we have gotten a fair bit of stick from people on the outside.

“Really excited about this last match.

“We have nothing to lose, and that is a great space to be.

“We will celebrate this tonight, and we gotta win this.”

New Zealand play South Africa in the final on Sunday, after the Proteas upset title favourites Australia in the semi-finals.

Bovada has South Africa as slight favourites in Sunday’s final, ahead -138.89 to +110 to win the trophy.

Sports news